Biology: 8.

The Skeleton and Movement Syllabus OB24 Identify the main parts of the human skeleton and understand that the functions are support, movement and protection OB25 Locate the major bones in the human body including the skull, ribs, vertebrae, collarbone, shoulder blade, humerus, radius, ulna, pelvis, femur, tibia and fibula, using a diagram or a model skeleton OB26 Understand the function of joints and muscles (including antagonistic pairs), tendons and ligaments, and the relationship between these and bones OB27 Describe the general structure and action of different types of joints: fused, ball and socket and hinged, and identify examples of each: skull, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee Student Notes The functions of the skeleton are support, protection and movement Support Our skeleton supports our body and maintains its shape. Protection It also protects our soft organs; the skull protects the brain, the backbone protects the spinal cord, the ribcage protects heart and lungs etc. Movement Our skeleton also enables us to move with the help of muscles. Muscles Bones are moved by contraction of muscles. Usually another muscle is used to return the bone to its original position. For this reason, muscles normally occur in pairs that exert opposite forces called antagonistic pairs. Antagonistic muscles are muscles working in pairs in opposite directions controlling the movement of a joint e.g. biceps and triceps. Joints A joint is the place where two bones move against each other. Types of joints 1. Fused has no movement e.g. skull 2. Ball and Socket allows movements in all directions, e.g. hips, shoulder 3. Hinge can bend in one direction only, e.g. knee, elbow The function of muscles and joints is to allow movement

Synovial fluid lubricates the joint and allows the bones to move easily (it acts as a shock absorber). Cartilage is soft skeletal tissue which covers and protects the ends of bones (it also acts as a shock absorber). A tendon joins a muscle to a bone (it has little elasticity and cannot be stretched)

A ligament joins bone to bone (it is elastic and can be stretched) 1

Exam Questions 1. [2006 OL] (i) Name the bone of the human skeleton labelled A in the diagram on the right. (ii) Name an organ that is protected by the skull.

2. [2007] Different types of joints hold together the bones of our skeleton. (i) Name the type of joint labelled in the diagram of the human skull. (ii) How does this type of joint differ from other types of joints found in our bodies?

3. [2006] The diagram shows the structure of an elbow. (i) Name bone A. (ii) Identify the type of moveable joint B.

4. [2009] The diagram shows a detailed drawing of the structure of the knee joint. The kneecap is not shown. (i) Name the bones labelled A and B. (ii) What type of joint is the knee?

5. [2009] C is synovial fluid. D is a ligament. (i) Give the functions of the parts labelled C and D in the knee. (ii) Explain the action of antagonistic pairs of muscles in causing the movement of limbs. You may use a labelled diagram in your answer if you wish.

6. [2009 OL] The diagram shows part of the human skeleton. Answer the following questions on the human skeleton. (i) Name the bones of the skeleton labelled A and B in the diagram. (ii) Give any two functions of the human skeleton.

7. [2007 OL] (i) In the table below place the letter S beside the name of an organ protected by the skull. (ii) Write the letter R beside the name of an organ protected by the ribs.

Brain Heart Stomach Kidney

8. [2008 OL] One of the functions of the skeleton is to protect the body. (i) In the table write the letter P beside the organ which is protected by the pelvis. (ii) In the table write the letter S beside the organ which is protected by the skull. (iii) In the table write the letter R beside the organ which is protected by the ribs. (iv) Give one other function of the skeleton, other than protection.

Lungs Brain Kidney